These magnificent, exhibition grade pistols are gold inlaid and relief engraved and have European walnut forearms and fluted butts. The pistols have dovetailed blade front sights, adjustable target rear sights, and adjustable single set triggers. The fluted barrels are blued with relief-engraved floral and cross-hatched designs on a stippled background. Intricate, gold filigree designs are inlaid on the muzzles, breeches, sides and tops of the barrels. The top of each barrel is gold inlaid with the maker's name and address: "RHEIN.METALLW. u.MASCH. FABR.ABT. SOMMERDA GEWEHRFABRIK." on an oval panel with gold inlaid borders. The company now known as Rheinmetall was established in 1889 as Rheinische Metallwaaren- und Maschinenfabrik Actiengesellschaft and acquired Waffenfabrik von Dreyse, the firm responsible for the needlfire system in 1901. The breeches, side plates, hammers and back straps have deep, relief-engraved scrollwork panels with gold inlaid borders. The trigger guards and breech levers are blued with relief engraving and gold inlaid filigree. The screws and barrel wedge escutcheons feature fine engraving. The bottom of the barrels and the water tables have German "BUG" proofs and matching serial numbers, and matching assembly numbers are also on the wedges, barrels, and actions. The pistols are set within a European walnut, French-fitted, velvet lined case and accessories. The case is lined with green velvet and contains: a pewter oil bottle, screwdriver with ebony handle and engraved steel blade, engraved steel socket with ebony handle, and a twenty-eight round cartridge block with engraved top plate. There is also a fitted slot for a now absent cleaning rod. This magnificent set of exhibition grade pistols represents the finest turn-of-the-century German gunmaking and engraving skill. This is a one-of-a-kind set of pistols that displays unmatched craftsmanship and detail.

See "A."